Tens of thousands filled the western lawn of the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. (Photos by Corey Kane)

Tens of thousands filled the western lawn of the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. (Photos by Corey Kane)

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The Capitol about an hour before the event began.

The Capitol about an hour before the event began.

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Three Houston area women coming to deliver a message to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. From left to right: Marlen Tejeda, Mirza Gutierrez, and Zayra Oropeza.

Three Houston area women coming to deliver a message to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. From left to right: Marlen Tejeda, Mirza Gutierrez, and Zayra Oropeza.

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Attendees waiting for the speakers to appear.

Attendees waiting for the speakers to appear.

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Attendees waiting for the speakers to appear.

Attendees waiting for the speakers to appear.

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Attendees waiting for the speakers to appear.

Attendees waiting for the speakers to appear.

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Attendees holding a sign of Obama with a sombrero.

Attendees holding a sign of Obama with a sombrero.

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Counter protesters were present, but kept their distance from main crowd.

Counter protesters were present, but kept their distance from main crowd.

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Not everyone approved of the rally's message.

Not everyone approved of the rally's message.

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Irene Collins said she rode for 30 hours to attend the rally.

Irene Collins said she rode for 30 hours to attend the rally.

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Immigrant activists from all backgrounds attended the rally.

Immigrant activists from all backgrounds attended the rally.

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Religious leaders spoke at the rally, including Christians and Muslims.

Religious leaders spoke at the rally, including Christians and Muslims.

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New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the Gang of Eight, announced an immigration bill would be unveiled next week. Joining him on stage is San Antonio's Joaquin Castro, seen waving.

New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the Gang of Eight, announced an immigration bill would be unveiled next week. Joining him on stage is San Antonio's Joaquin Castro, seen waving.

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Houston's Sheila Jackson Lee lent her support at the rally after attending a committee hearing on immigrant deportations.

Houston's Sheila Jackson Lee lent her support at the rally after attending a committee hearing on immigrant deportations.

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Chicago Rep. Luis Gutierrez shakes hands with the crowd after his speech. Gutierrez has been a strong advocate for a pathway to citizenship in the House of Representatives.

Chicago Rep. Luis Gutierrez shakes hands with the crowd after his speech. Gutierrez has been a strong advocate for a pathway to citizenship in the House of Representatives.

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The rally's aftermath.

The rally's aftermath.

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Two Texas Republicans part of House's own bipartisan 'Gang of 8' on immigration

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When it comes to immigration reform, the focus has been on the Senate’s “Gang of 8”, who rolled out their much anticipated 844-page plan yesterday. But behind the scenes, eight members of the House have been working on immigration reform for years.

And two of them are Texans: conservative Republicans Sam Johnson of Plano and John Carter of Round Rock.

“Americans want to see the nation’s broken immigration system fixed, and they know it will take bipartisanship to solve this problem in a sensible and rational way,” the group said in its first public statement. “This week, a bipartisan group of senators stepped forward to introduce their proposal, and we applaud their effort.”

The group’s members include four liberal Democrats — Xavier Becerra of California, Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, Zoe Lofgren of California and John Yarmuth of Kentucky — and two other Republicans, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Raul Labrador of Idaho.

The group’s existence was made public a few months ago, and their reaction to the Senate reform plan is their first official statement.

The House group is expected to unveil its own bipartisan plan soon.

“We are also working on a good faith, bipartisan effort in the House. We believe we will soon agree on a reasonable, common-sense plan to finally secure our borders and strengthen our economy with a tough but fair process for immigrants to fully contribute to our country that respects the rule of law,” they said.

Rep. John Carter (Official photo)

Earlier today, Carter officially announced that he has been a member of the group.

“The Senate recently released their immigration proposal, but I have some exciting news. I have been honored to be on the House of Representative’s own group who have been tirelessly working for an immigration solution, and we will be releasing our plan soon,” Carter said on his Facebook page.

The plan that comes from the House is expected to reflect that of the “gang of eight”, but both Johnson and Carter have previously taken issue with many of the policies included in the plan.

The Senate proposal includes a pathway to citizenship, temporary legal status for workers, and expedited citizenship for children of immigrants better-known as the DREAM Act.

Johnson and Carter have both advocated for an “enforcement first” approach that opposes immigrant amnesty.

“If you are here legally, you ought to be rewarded. If you are here illegally, you ought to be deported,” Johnson, a senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee, said in a statement on his website.

Rep. Sam Johnson (official photo)

Johnson and Carter also both voted against the DREAM act in 2010.

However, the Senate plan does include tougher border control measures, which both Johnson and Carter have been active proponents of.

With the Texans making up half of the Republican team, the details will speak volumes as to how far they are willing to compromise to see a bipartisan agreement.